John Edwards on Climate Change

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Period 3

As the presidential election of 2008 approaches several candidates have tailored their campaigns to certain interests. A candidate from Seneca, South Carolina, John Edwards has created a revolutionary role in his race for presidency. He was born on June 10, 1953 and attended public school. He attended North Carolina State University and graduated in 1974. He was the first in his family to attend college and has served in the Senate since 1998. He has adopted a carbon neutral campaign, focused on reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, and supported renewable energy research and development.

By conserving energy and purchasing carbon offsets Americans can “conserve energy in their own homes and workplaces, it can help fight global warming.” It is not only Edwards who is committed to protecting our environment and reducing our carbon footprint; Governor Tom Vilsack declared that “he would be the first presidential candidate to plan a carbon neutral campaign.”(John Edwards for President) There are many ways to conserve energy including “using timers and motion detectors to control lights and shut down office equipment when not in use and turning off computers, televisions, and lights when not in use” (John Edwards for President) as well as “buying 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and other recycled paper.” (John Edwards for President) Overall, “encouraging staff to adopt energy efficient practices in their office and homes” (John Edwards for President) conserves energy. Did you know that a quarter of John Edwards for President headquarters employees walk to work? To make the campaign carbon neutral, it will purchase carbon offsets and conserve energy. This will allow one party to pay another to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. One of Edward’s plans is to “financially support renewable energy projects” (John Edwards for President) to reduce the need for carbon-based energy; this will also make it commercially viable.

There are also other issues that Edwards has opinions on. For instance, he originally voted in favor of the war, but now supports immediate withdrawal of troops. He also supports increased border security and the changing of tax policies to give bigger breaks to poor and middle class persons. He says, “America needs to restore its moral leadership in the world by leading charge against weapons of mass destruction, and focusing more on poverty issues and the conflict in Darfur.” (The Boston Channel) He also thinks that it is crucial to support border partnership between the United States and European Union to combat issues like terrorism and the pandemic flu together. For education, No Child Let Behind is critical. He supports more funding for early childhood education and college. Edwards “believes teachers need more training.” (The Boston Channel) Most importantly, he supports renewable energies and new technology to reduce foreign oil dependence and stop global warming. As for the future climate change, Edwards believes the United States should be capping emissions to stop global warming! He wants a new international treaty that would trade clean fuel technologies to developing countries in exchange for capping their emissions.

Although Edward’s campaign seems promising on a global front, he expects Americans to sacrifice their inefficient cars, and specifically to give up their SUVs. “Campaigning turns out to be a pretty high-carbon practice.”(Ben Smith) Besides being anti-SUV, Edwards, as well as all the candidates, ride around in big cars. They all must announce their candidacy for president, and they must use machines to get there. His website states, “Edwards believes that everyone should be able to drive the car, truck, or SUV of their choice and still enjoy high fuel economy” (Spokesmen for John Edwards); but does this hold any meaning to all the gas that he is burning while traveling around in private jets?

"John Edwards believes that all Americans need to be patriotic about something other than war, and that means conserving at home, at work, and in the cars they drive.” (Spokesmen for John Edwards) Edwards’ campaign for president was very successful; his team included veterans of numerous campaigns with years of strategic, policy, and communications experience who help share Senator Edwards’ vision of change with the country. The future of the campaign seems that it could be affected at least temporarily of the follow-up doctor’s appointment with his wife, Elizabeth who is recovering from breast cancer. This predicament has lead Edwards to dropping out of the 2008 presidential race.

Source 1:

"John Edwards for President-Edwards Increases Efforts to Fight Global Warming; Announces Campaign Will Be Carbon Neutral." John Edwards for President. 2008. John Edwards for President. 5 Feb 2008 .

Source 2:

"Commitment 2008 - Compare Candidates." Boston News, Breaking Local News, Weather & Sports, Channel 5 TV - WCVB TheBostonChannel.com. 2008. Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.. 5 Feb 2008 .

Source 3:

Smith, Ben. "Edwards vs. the SUV - Ben Smith's Blog - Politico.com." Politics, Political News, Campaign 2008 - Politico.com. 29 Aug 2007. Capitol News Company, LLC. 5 Feb 2008 .

Picture:

"Candidate Profile John Edwards, - CBS News." CBS News - Breaking News Headlines and Video from CBSNews.com. CBS News. 8 Feb 2008 .